Emotiva X-Ref 12 User manual

Category
Supplementary music equipment
Type
User manual

This manual is also suitable for

DSP Powered Subwoofer
User Manual
Important Safety Precautions and Explanation of Symbols
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important installation, operation, and service instructions in this manual.
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltages within the enclosure
that may be of sufcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock to the user.
Please read this Installation and Operation Manual thoroughly before attempting to
install, congure, or operate the X-Ref subwoofer. After successful installation and
conguration of the X-Ref subwoofer, be sure to retain this manual in a safe place for
future reference.
Safety is a key component to a long lasting and trouble free installation. Please read
and follow all instructions and heed all warnings on the X-Ref subwoofer and in this
manual. The vast majority of the subsequent safety precautions are common sense. If
you are not comfortable with the installation of audio/video entertainment equipment,
you should seek the services of a qualied installation professional or call us for help.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
USE THE X-REF SUBWOOFER NEAR WATER OR IN WET LOCATIONS, DO NOT
EXPOSE IT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE, DO NOT EXPOSE IT TO DRIPPING OR
SPLASHING FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND ENSURE THAT NO OBJECTS FILLED
WITH LIQUIDS (SUCH AS VASES) ARE PLACED ON IT. DOING SO MAY RESULT
IN DAMAGE TO THE X-REF SUBWOOFER AND THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK TO
THE USER, WHICH MAY RESULT IN BODILY INJURY OR DEATH.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE
COVER FROM THE X-REF SUBWOOFER. THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE THE X-REF SUBWOOFER. REFER ALL SERVICE TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Do not install the X-Ref subwoofer near or above any heat sources such as radiators,
heating vents, or other apparatus that produces heat. Do not block any ventilation
openings or heat sinks.
Always install your X-Ref subwoofer according to the manufacturer’s instructions and
only use with attachments or accessories specied by the manufacturer.
Do not install the X-Ref subwoofer on any stand, shelf, or other piece of furniture that
is unable to support its weight or withstand the vibrations produced by a subwoofer in
normal operation. If a cart is used to move the X-Ref subwoofer, use caution to avoid
injury from tip-over.
Connect the X-Ref subwoofer only to power sources of the correct voltage and
frequency (between 90 VAC and 250 VAC, 50 Hz or 60 Hz).
Protect the power cord from being pinched, walked on, or otherwise damaged. Be
especially careful where the power cable enters the power outlet and X-Ref subwoofer
unit.
Only connect the X-Ref subwoofer to an electrical outlet or extension cord of
appropriate type and rating.
The power cable for the X-Ref subwoofer should be unplugged from the outlet during
severe electrical storms, or when unused for a long period of time.
Only replace the fuse in the X-Ref subwoofer with a fuse of proper value and voltage
rating.
!
!
FCC Interference Statement
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that the interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that of the receiver.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
For questions regarding service, please contact:
Emotiva Audio Corporation
135 Southeast Parkway Court
Franklin, Tennessee
37064
(615)-790-6754
www.emotiva.com
!
DO NOT defeat the safety purpose of a grounding or polarized plug by removing ground
pins or using unsafe adapters. A polarized plug has two blades - one wider than the
other. A grounding type plug has a third ground prong in addition to the two main
conductors. The wide blade or third grounding prong is provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not t your outlet, consult an electrician to replace your obsolete
outlet. If you replace the X-Ref subwoofer power cord, only use one of similar type and
equal or greater current rating.
You should seek service for your X-Ref subwoofer by qualied service personnel if any
of the following occur:
1. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged
2. The X-Ref subwoofer has been exposed to rain or had liquids spilled onto or into it
4. The X-Ref subwoofer exhibits a marked change in performance
5. The X-Ref subwoofer has been dropped, or its enclosure or chassis is damaged.
NOTE: TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THE X-REF SUBWOOFER FROM THE
AC POWER MAINS, DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD FROM THE AC
RECEPTACLE.
NOTE: THE X-REF SUBWOOFER’S AC POWER CORD MUST REMAIN READILY
ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.
The X-Ref subwoofer should only be cleaned as directed in the Operators Manual. Avoid
spraying or pouring liquids directly onto the X-Ref subwoofer.
CAUTION
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Page 1
Contents
Important Safety Precautions and Explanation of Symbols
Introduction .......................................................................2
About This Manual ..............................................................3
Features ............................................................................4
Unpacking .........................................................................5
The X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer ................................... 6
Quick Start ........................................................................7
About Subwoofers ..............................................................8
Setting Up Your X-Ref 10 ..................................................... 9
Connections ..................................................................... 10
Subwoofer Placement ........................................................ 11
System Conguration ........................................................ 14
Subwoofer Conguration and Adjustment ............................ 17
Operation ........................................................................ 19
Care and Maintenance ....................................................... 20
Specications ................................................................... 21
Troubleshooting ................................................................ 22
Emotiva Audio Corporation Limited Warranty ........................ 24
Contact Information .......................................................... 25
Accessories ...................................................................... 26
Notes .............................................................................. 27
Page 2
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Emotiva’s X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer.
The X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer was designed to deliver both the deep clean bass
and raw power you need for a truly impressive home theater experience along with the
speed, musicality, and accurate rendition of subtle detail necessary to t seamlessly
into an audiophile music system.
The X-Ref 10’s powerful long-throw woofer, high-efciency amplier, and switch-
mode power supply give it the ability to deliver tremendous amounts of deep clean
bass without breaking a sweat; the strong sealed cabinet, with its extensive cross-
bracing and internal damping, completely eliminates spurious vibrations and noises;
and the attractive Studio Black satin lacquer nish and removable grill help the X-Ref
10 blend into the decor of your home theater or music room. However, the X-Ref
10 isn’t all muscle and good looks. The advanced DSP Management System, with
its convenient push-to-engage rotary encoder and easy to read backlit LCD display,
makes conguration simple and straightforward, and provides the exibility and
nesse you need to congure this powerhouse to deliver perfect performance with
virtually any system or room. Of course we included everything you expect from a truly
advanced subwoofer, including both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs, our
sophisticated dynamics processing, and our elegant soft-limiting circuitry that protects
the X-Ref 10 without compromising the integrity of your music. And, nally, you get
Emotiva’s ve year transferable warranty and 30 day no-hassle return policy.
The X-Ref 10 takes subwoofer performance, convenience, exibility, and value to a new
level. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed designing and building
it for you.
Happy listening!
The Emotiva Team
Page 3
About This Manual
This manual will provide you with all the information you need to get great
performance, accurate sound, and many years of reliable service from your
Emotiva X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer.
Even if you’re familiar with subwoofers, we suggest that you read through the entire
manual; we kept things as short as possible and you might nd some interesting and
helpful tips and information. If you’re new to the subject, then we encourage you to
take the suggestions we offer as a starting point, and experiment until you achieve just
the results that you want.
If you’re really in a hurry to get started, please read the Quick Start section
(on page 7) and the Safety Instructions; then read the remainder of the manual at
your leisure.
You may wish to record serial numbers or other purchase information on the Notes
page at the back of this manual.
Page 4
Features
The Emotiva X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer, with its advanced DSP Management
System, was designed to deliver impressive performance and outstanding sound quality
in both home theater and audiophile stereo music systems. The X-Ref 10 delivers the
deep bass you need for earth-shaking home theater special effects, while maintaining
the quality, accuracy, and superb musical rendition necessary for true high-delity
music reproduction. Some of the more important features of the Emotiva X-Ref 10 DSP
Powered Subwoofer include:
• Great sound and amazing bass. The X-Ref 10 has both the raw power to deliver
awe-inspiring special effects and the nesse to play the bottom octaves of music
with amazing depth, detail, and subtlety.
• Powerandefciency.The X-Ref 10’s powerful, high-efciency amplier and high
current switch-mode power supply deliver all of the power necessary to rattle the
walls, or play the lowest registers of a pipe organ or bass guitar with amazing depth
and clarity, without running up your electric bill or heating up the room.
• Ease of use. The X-Ref 10’s convenient push-to-engage rotary encoder, and easy
to read back lit LCD display, make conguration simple and straightforward.
• Flexible,accurate,andrepeatableconguration is provided by the X-Ref 10’s
advanced DSP Management System and fully congurable two-band parametric
equalizer.
• Advanced mechanical design, including a powerful 10” long-throw woofer with
a die-cast frame, massive motor assembly, woven tinsel leads, proprietary para-
aramid blended ber cone, and heavy-duty Butyl rubber half roll surround, and a
sealed cabinet with extensive cross bracing and internal damping, enables the
X-Ref 10 to produce prodigious amounts of smooth clean bass with no extra
vibrations, distortion, or unwanted distractions.
• Advanced electronic design, including Emotiva’s exclusive dynamics processing
and elegant soft limiting, delivers the clean power the X-Ref 10 needs to play all
types of source material with astonishing realism and no hint of strain or distortion
• Intelligent turn-on automatically switches the X-Ref 10 on when signal is present
and returns to standby mode when the music stops. The X-Ref 10’s Movie EQ
Trigger feature optionally activates a little extra punch for movie special effects
when instructed to do so.
• Applicationexibility. Professional balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) input
connections allow you to connect the X-Ref 10 to both home theater and stereo
sources. A balanced feed through output lets you add additional subwoofers.
• Good looks and practicality. The X-Ref 10’s compact size, Studio Black satin
lacquer nish, and removable grill allow it to blend easily into any room decor. Both
aluminum spikes and non-marring rubber feet are included to allow you to use the
X-Ref 10 with any type of ooring, and the front-ring design helps simplify room
placement and minimize room interactions.
You can nd more information about the X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer on our Web
site at http://www.emotiva.com
Page 5
Unpacking
Your Emotiva X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer was carefully packed and should reach
you in perfect condition. If you notice any shipping damage or other issues when you
unpack it, please contact Emotiva immediately.
Gently remove your X-Ref 10 from the packing carton and remove all wrappings and
shipping material. Use care when handling or lifting the X-Ref 10 since it is quite heavy.
Avoid pressing directly on the woofer cone or the surround, and avoid resting your
X-Ref 10 on its front, top, or back while unpacking it.
PLEASE NOTE: THE POWER CORD AND SPIKED FEET ARE INCLUDED IN THE
LOWER PACKAGING MATERIAL! DO NOT DISCARD PACKAGING MATERIAL
WITHOUT FULLY UNPACKING ALL PARTS!
It is important to save the box and all packing materials in case your X-Ref 10
subwoofer ever needs to be moved or shipped back to the factory for service.
Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place. It is the easiest way to verify your
purchase date for warranty purposes, and may also be required if you ever have to le
an insurance claim.
We truly value customer feedback and would like to hear from you.
Page 6
UNBALANCED
STEREO INPUTS
MOVIE EQ TRIGGER
POWER
The X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer
Back lit LCD
status display
High-power 10 inch
long-throw woofer
Rotary encoder
Balanced output
(XLR)
Unbalanced stereo
inputs (RCA)
Power and Standby
indicator
AC Power switch
IEC power cable
receptacle with
integral fuse holder
Balanced input
(XLR)
Movie EQ Trigger
input
Page 7
Quick Start
To get the most from your Emotiva X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer, we strongly urge
you to read the entire manual. If you just can’t wait to hear how great your X-Ref 10
subwoofer sounds, this section will cover the basics you need to get started.
Find a secure location for your X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer.
Plug your X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer into a grounded AC electrical outlet. If
you use a different power cord or extension cord, use only a three-prong grounded
type with sufcient current rating.
Connect your X-Ref 10 to the “subwoofer” or “LFE” output on your source
equipment (preamp or home theater pre/processor).
Congure the bass management on your source equipment according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Turn on the Power switch on the rear panel of the X-Ref 10.
Enjoy the music.
While you’re enjoying your X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer, it would be a great time
to read the rest of the manual to learn more about it.
Page 8
About Subwoofers
The design of virtually all loudspeakers involves compromises; and producing large
amounts of undistorted low bass is often difcult (and expensive) to achieve in a full-
range speaker. Most full-range speakers, therefore, simply aren’t designed to produce
extended output at very low frequencies. This has historically been a limitation of high-
end stereo speakers, and is often considered to be “an acceptable compromise” in
many otherwise superb stereo systems; many audiophiles simply accepted that they
weren’t going to hear the lowest octaves of a pipe organ or feel the solid punch of a
drum with lifelike realism.
When home theater entered the scene, with its demand for the prodigious bass to
accurately reproduce sound effects that you could actually feel, this limitation was
addressed by including a separate speaker designed especially to produce only low
bass; the subwoofer. The addition of a subwoofer simplies the job of designing the
other speakers, which no longer need to be totally full-range. It was also discovered
that low frequencies (typically below 100 Hz) are virtually non-directional to the human
ear, so a single subwoofer can provide the low frequencies for both channels in a stereo
system or all channels in a multi-channel system.
In principle, it should be simple to design a subwoofer that can do a great job of
producing the narrow range of frequencies required. Unfortunately many early
subwoofers, while they did a good job of producing window-rattling explosions,
dinosaur stomps, and subway crashes, didn’t sound very good with music. It turns out
that it’s a lot easier to design a subwoofer that can make lots of earth-skaking bass if
low distortion and smooth frequency response aren’t major concerns.
Now, however, as home theater listeners are coming to expect not only loud bass, but
high quality bass, and audiophiles are starting to look for the same impressive bass
performance from their stereo systems, but only if it sounds as good as the rest of
their system, there is a need for subwoofers that can both rattle the oor and deliver
extended low end with superb musicality.
Fortunately, advances in speaker technology, such as new cone and cabinet materials,
more powerful and efcient ampliers, and advanced DSP management systems, have
made it possible to design a subwoofer that can deliver both thunderous special effects
and superb musical performance. One of the leaders of this new generation of “super
subs”, at home in both high-end home theater systems and audiophile stereo systems,
are the new Emotiva X-Ref DSP Powered Subwoofers.
Page 9
The DSP Difference
Analog circuits, while simple to design and implement,
have several serious shortcomings. Not only is it difcult
to set a knob (or read where it’s set) accurately, but
individual variations in the analog circuitry itself may make
it difcult to accurately set certain parameters, or to return
to previous settings. There are also practical limitations
about what functions can be achieved with analog circuitry.
Properly designed DSP (digital) controls give you greater
exibility, higher precision and repeatability, better
performance, and access to features simply not practical
with analog controls, and they do so at lower cost. In
addition, our convenient push-to-engage rotary encoder
is easier to use than a dial or knob, and the LCD display is
easy to read and simple to understand.
Setting Up Your X-Ref 10
Setting up your X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer for optimal performance is really a
three-step process. The rst part consists of deciding where to place your X-Ref 10
(or a pair of them). The second part consists of conguring your source equipment and
your X-Ref 10 to work perfectly together. The third and nal part consists of using the
X-Ref 10’s advanced DSP Management System to congure it to perfectly match your
room and other equipment.
While none of this is terribly complicated (and the X-Ref’s advanced DSP Management
System makes it a lot easier and more precise), it still makes sense to plan what you
intend to do in advance.
The best conguration for your subwoofer (or subwoofers) depends, to a large degree,
on what type of system you have. The simplest and most effective way to congure
bass management and equalization is to allow your source component or components
to do the bass management, and use the controls on the subwoofer to ne-tune it to
your particular listening room and placement choices. The advanced DSP Management
System makes it simple to congure the X-Ref 10 to be a perfect match for virtually
any room. (While the DSP Management System also offers precise control of the
crossover point, it isn’t able to bass manage other components, so if your source
components have bass management, it’s best to set the X-Ref’s X-Over control to
Direct and allow your source components to handle the bass management).
Page 10
Connections
Inputs
Typically the balanced (XLR) input is used to connect the X-Ref 10 to the balanced
output labelled “subwoofer” or “LFE” (low-frequency effects) on a home-theater pre/
processor, and the stereo unbalanced (RCA) inputs are used to connect the X-Ref 10 to
the output of a stereo preamp. The X-Ref 10 automatically switches on when it senses
signal on either input.
In addition, the X-Ref 10 offers a feature which automatically adds a little extra punch
when you’re watching a movie (it increases low bass by about +6 dB at 45 Hz). This
feature is enabled by connecting the Movie EQ Trigger input on the X-Ref 10 to the
trigger output on your home-theater pre/processor. (Assuming you have a stereo music
source connected to the unbalanced inputs on the X-Ref, and a home-theater pre/
processor connected to the balanced input, the Movie EQ Trigger input can activate the
bass boost when the home-theater pre/processor is turned on).
If you have a pre/processor (like Emotiva’s UMC-1) which has programmable trigger
outputs, this allows the Movie EQ boost to be turned on by the pre/processor for
certain types of program material.
The Movie EQ can also be manually congured via the DSP Management System menu.
Refer to the diagram on Page 19 for details.
Outputs
The balanced (XLR) output on the X-Ref 10 provides a duplicate of the input signal and
is intended for connecting one or more additional X-Ref 10 (or other) subwoofers.
UNBALANCED
STEREO INPUTS
MOVIE EQ TRIGGER
UNBALANCED
STEREO INPUTS
STEREO PREAMP WITH SEPARATE HF & LF OUTPUTS HOME THEATER PRE/PROCESSOR
LFE / SUB
OUT
TRIGGER
OUT
L
R
LF
OUT
HF
OUT
X-OVER
DIRECT
L
R
A typical installatiion, with a
single X-Ref 10 DSP Powered
Subwoofer providing bass
enhancement for both a
stereo system and a home-
theater pre/processor
Page 11
Subwoofer Placement
Deciding where to place a subwoofer (or a pair of them) is often a compromise
between practicality and acoustics. When selecting the ideal location for your X-Ref 10
DSP Managed Subwoofer, the goal is to choose a location that produces smooth, clean,
well dened bass (and not necessarily the location that produces the most bass). Even
though the sophisticated DSP Management System in the X-Ref 10 gives you very
precise control, you will still get the best overall results with the least amount of work if
you nd a location where the subwoofer sounds clean and well dened before you start
adjusting it. Because low bass is non-directional, it is not necessary to choose a central
location for one subwoofer, nor to locate two subwoofers in symmetrical locations.
The locations that work best in a given room depend on the size, shape, and
construction of the room, as well as on room surface treatments (like carpeting)
and furniture. The most precise method for determining where to place one or more
subwoofers is to take careful measurements with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter,
analyze the results, and then test the likely locations that result. However, with a little
experimentation, you can achieve excellent results by ear alone.
Listener
Center
Left Side
Surround
Right Front
Display
Right Side
Surround
Left Rear
Surround
Right Rear
Surround
Sub-woofer
Left Front
Sub-woofer
Sub-woofer
Sub-woofer Sub-woofer
Several factors determine
which locations work best for
a subwoofer in a given room.
The easiest way to get great
results is to experiment with
different locations until you
nd the right one. Here are
some locations you can try.
Page 12
One method for choosing a location that produces very good results, although it’s a
bit undignied, is to place the subwoofer temporarily in your listening location, and
then sit on the oor in each potential subwoofer location and listen to the results. The
locations where the bass sounds powerful, yet clean and not boomy or muddy, are
probably good choices for where to place your subwoofer. Alternately, you can simply
try the subwoofer in different locations that are compatible with your room decor and
choose the location that sounds best.
You will also nd that some audio components (especially turntables) are very sensitive
to low bass frequencies. Adding a subwoofer may expose this weakness in previously
well-behaved equipment, so you should be careful to isolate such components from
vibrations transmitted via the oor or through the air. Sensitive components should be
mounted on isolation feet or platforms, and a subwoofer should not be placed too close
to them (which may rule out certain potential locations).
Before starting, you should locate several pieces of music that you are familiar
with that contain substantial low frequency content. Look for music that contains
instruments or “interesting” sounds rather than single-tone electronic effects or
explosions. A recording of “pink noise” works well for some people, although test tones
intended for use with a meter are usually not very useful when doing things by ear.
Remember that the ideal location will be one where bass response is smooth, and no
specic tones are unduly emphasized or missing. (If you notice that a particular tone
seems to “drag on” long after it should have stopped, or that a particular frequency
or instrument sounds boomy or muddy, you are probably experiencing a resonance at
that frequency, and should avoid using the location where it occurs.)
You will also probably nd that, while certain subwoofer locations produce the best
result for a single listening position (like your favorite chair), other locations may
produce better overall results for a larger area (the entire couch or group of chairs
where you and your family sit on Saturday evenings). Always remember that the best
location is simply the one that works best for you with your room and your equipment.
Finally, avoid locations that place your X-Ref 10 directly in front of a window or
heating vent, or in particularly damp or hazardous locations, and avoid locations that
encourage people to place foreign objects on top of your X-Ref 10. (Your X-Ref 10 is
a precision piece of audio gear and not a coffee table or plant stand. Placing objects
on top of your X-Ref 10 not only risks causing damage, but the vibration of the top in
normal use virtually ensures that they will fall off!)
Page 13
The following suggestions are intended as guidelines to help you decide which locations
to try for your X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer(s):
• Corner placement usually produces the most bass, but sometimes produces
poorlydenedorboomybass. A corner location that produces a lot of clean
bass is ne; if, however, the bass is boomy or resonant then you should try another
location.
• Try various locations along side and rear walls. It’s often better to place a
subwoofer several feet away from the corner along one wall; any location anywhere
along a wall may be a good spot to locate your X-Ref 10.
• Avoid locations where your X-Ref 10 will be exposed to direct sunlight or
water (and don’t sit plants or other electronic equipment on top of it).
• A subwoofer should not be heard as a distinct source of sound. A properly
congured subwoofer should add a solid “foundation” to your music; it should
not, however, be discernible as a separate source of sound. Even though low
bass is non-directional, certain locations may cause the subwoofer to “stand out”
acoustically and should be avoided.
• Multiple subwoofers should sometimes be placed at different types of
locations. For example, if you are adding a second X-Ref 10 to an existing one
located in a corner, its may be a good idea to try locating the second one along
a wall. Certain locations sometimes accentuate certain frequencies; by varying
locations you average out the variations and get a smoother overall response.
At Emotiva we prefer symmetrical subwoofer placement in front locations if it’s
practical; we believe that your ears are sensitive to pressure differentials that,
although not audible, may nonetheless affect the integrity of the front sound stage.
• Avoid placing subwoofers within several feet of a turntable or other sensitive
audio device. Even if you use isolation feet or an isolation base, low frequency
vibrations travel directly through the air, and may be coupled to a turntable arm
or platter. You may also nd that your turntable is more immune to vibration with
(or without) the dust cover in place. The result of acoustic feedback may be actual
howling noises or record skips or a more subtle muddying of the bass on some
musical passages. Since a lot of audio equipment is at least somewhat sensitive
to vibration, you may get better results by locating your subwoofer along a side or
back wall rather than by placing it directly behind or beside your equipment rack.
• Sound becomes less directional as the frequency gets lower. The sound
coming from a subwoofer congured to cross over at 80 Hz (the THX™ standard) is
almost totally non-localized, but localization increases at higher frequencies. If you
are noticing sound localization from a subwoofer congured to a frequency above
100 Hz, try choosing a lower crossover frequency.
Page 14
SystemConguration
Conguring the X-Ref 10 for use with a
home theater system
Virtually all home theater pre/processors and receivers include bass management,
so it’s best to set the X-Ref 10 X-Over (crossover) setting to Direct and let the pre/
processor handle the bass management. Many high-end home theater pre/processors
include equalization controls of some sort. If your pre/processor includes automatic
equalization, then you should consider letting it handle the equalization. If your pre/
processor has simple graphic-equalizer type controls, then you will probably nd that
the X-Ref’s advanced parametric equalizer controls make adjustment easier and do a
better job. While it is possible to use source component and subwoofer equalization
controls simultaneously, and doing so may actually prove useful in certain situations,
it’s usually easier to achieve better results if you use one and leave the other set to
at.
Conguring the X-Ref 10 for use with a stereo system
Sophisticated high-end stereo preampliers often include bass management, in which
case it is best to set the X-Ref 10 X-Over setting to Direct and let the preamp handle
the bass management. If the bass management in your preamp also includes simple
shelving or graphic-equalizer type controls, then you should probably not use them,
since the X-Ref’s advanced parametric equalizer controls make adjustment easier
and do a better job. While it is possible to use source component and subwoofer
equalization controls simultaneously, and doing so may actually prove useful in certain
situations, it’s usually easier to achieve better results if you use one and leave the
other set to at.
Conguring the X-Ref 10 for use with a stereo system
without bass management
In a system with bass management, very low frequencies are directed to the subwoofer
and away from the main or satellite speakers. The advanced DSP Management System
in the X-Ref 10 provides complete control of the frequencies handled by the X-Ref 10
but does not control the frequencies being handled by other speakers (which is what
bass management does).
If your preamp lacks bass management, you can still add an X-Ref 10 subwoofer to
augment the low bass frequencies produced by your main speakers, and the precise
X-Over (crossover) and Equalization settings on the X-Ref 10 can then be used to
congure a smooth transition between your subwoofer and main speakers. You must
remember, however, that the low frequencies will still be reaching your main speakers.
If your main speakers are full range, this will not be a problem. If, however, your main
speakers are “small” or “satellites”, then you should add an extra line level crossover or
high-pass lter to prevent low frequencies from reaching your satellites or small main
speakers (failure to do so may damage them).
Page 15
Conguring the X-Ref 10 for use with a combined stereo
and home theater system
There are several ways you can congure a combined stereo and home theater system
to work with your X-Ref 10.
Separate stereo preamp and home theater pre/processor
If you have entirely separate stereo and home theater systems, both with bass
management, and intend to share one X-Ref 10 (or one pair) between them, then the
best option is to simply connect the subwoofer outputs of each to one of the X-Ref’s
input connectors. (Connect one to the balanced input and one to the unbalanced input.
If one source component is physically closer, use the unbalanced cable for the shorter
cable run if possible.) Set the X-Over (crossover) to Direct on the X-Ref 10 to allow the
preamp and pre/processor to each handle their own bass management.
The X-Ref 10 also offers a feature which automatically adds a little extra punch when
you’re watching a movie (it increases low bass by about +6 dB at 45 Hz). This feature
is enabled by connecting the Movie EQ Trigger input on the X-Ref 10 to the trigger
output on your home-theater pre/processor. (Assuming you have a stereo music source
connected to one input on the X-Ref, and a home-theater pre/processor connected to
the other input, the Movie EQ Trigger input is typically congured to activate the bass
boost when the home-theater pre/processor is turned on).
If you have a pre/processor (like Emotiva’s UMC-1) which has programmable trigger
outputs, this allows the Movie EQ boost to be turned on by the pre/processor for just
certain types of program material.
This conguration should also work well if you have a separate preamp and pre/pro but
use “HT Bypass” or “Direct Mode” on either to allow both to share one power amp and
set of speakers for the front channels.
Stereo preamp (without bass management) and
home theater pre/processor
If you have a separate stereo preamp and home theater pre/processor, and your stereo
preamp does not have bass management (but you use your stereo preamp as a phono
preamp), the easiest solution is to connect the Tape Output of your stereo preamp to
one of the high-level inputs (Aux In) on your home theater pre/processor. This will
allow your pre/processor to control most aspects of playing music, including bass
management, yet allow you to play records via your stereo preamp.
Another option is to purchase an external line-level crossover to provide bass
management for your stereo preamp (passive or active) and then congure everything
as described above.
Page 16
Conguring your system to work with your
X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer
No special conguration of your system is required for it to work perfectly with the
Emotiva X-Ref 10 DSP Powered Subwoofer. Most bass management systems will cross
over between the main or satellite speakers and the subwoofer at between 80 Hz and
120 Hz (80 Hz is the THX™ standard crossover point). The X-Ref 10 DSP Powered
Subwoofer is at to above 200 Hz, and so will work perfectly with any crossover setting
your bass management system chooses to implement.
If you are conguring a preamplier with bass management (like our Emotiva
USP-1) to work with satellite speakers, then choose the crossover point recommended
by the manufacturer of your speakers (this is often 80 Hz for “satellite” speakers). If
you are using full range speakers, then experiment with crossover points at or below
80 Hz until you achieve a pleasing result (the goal is to choose a point at or above the
frequency at which your main speakers sound strained or start to roll off in frequency
response).
If you are using a preamplier without bass management, and you have full range
main speakers, then you will be using the X-Over (crossover) conguration on the
X-Ref 10 to congure the X-Ref to cut off at or about the frequency where your main
speakers stop producing sufcient bass, and the Volume conguration on the X-Ref to
match its level to that of your main speakers so the overall sound is continuous and
smooth - with no sudden jumps in output level. Simply try different frequencies until
you achieve a pleasing result.
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Emotiva X-Ref 12 User manual

Category
Supplementary music equipment
Type
User manual
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